OPAN DEMANDS INEC CHAIRMAN, MAHMOOD’S RESIGNATION

The Online Publishers
Association of Nigeria, OPAN, has asked the Chairman of the Independent
National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu to resign from
his position immediately over the shocking and disappointing postponement of
today’s Presidential and National Assembly election.

OPAN as well as many
Nigerians are bewildered that INEC under Mr. Yakubu could announce the shift of
the elections just hours to the polls despite giving multiple assurances that
the elections will hold as scheduled.

In a statement signed
by its president, Austyn Ogannah, OPAN accused the INEC boss of sinister
motive and asked all stakeholders to join in the call for his resignation or
removal from office for gross incompetence.

The statement said:
“This postponement is an embarrassment to Nigeria and all those who believe in
this country. The pain and shame is just unbearable. Several people travelled
to various destinations this weekend to perform their civic duties – many
events were adjusted to ensure they did not clash with today’s election only to
wake up and be greeted with this heartbreaking announcement. The financial
damage is unimaginable. Enough is enough. Nigeria cannot continue to reward
incompetence.

“President Buhari
cannot give an election speech last night and you postpone a nationwide
election on Election Day.

“The INEC had
three and half years to prepare for this election and it has failed under Mr.
Yakubu. With this development, OPAN and Nigerians have clearly lost confidence
in the ability of this chairman to conduct free and fair elections.

How come INEC was not
aware of the “logistics problems” until a few hours to commencement
of voting?

Is INEC’s postponement
of the election within the said time frame constitutional in view of section
26(1) of the Electoral Act as amended? (The section provides for security
concerns and natural disasters, where cogent and verifiable as only reasons for
postponing election.)

“Should Nigerians
insist on the use of new ballot papers as the sanctity of the ballot papers are
no longer assured?

“We
hereby call on the INEC Chairman to resign or be removed from office if he
fails to do so”.

Austyn
Ogannah

President

Daniel
Elombah

General
Secretary.

February 16, 2019.

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